14 Charged Over Free Aids Drugs

Sep 26, 2002

FOURTEEN people were yesterday charged with possession of suspected stolen AIDS drugs.

By Hillary Kiirya
FOURTEEN people were yesterday charged with possession of suspected stolen AIDS drugs.

The group is said to be part of a countrywide racket which has diverted recently donated life support drugs to private pharmacies and clinics for sale.

The suspects included Herbert Masayi of Kawempe, Regina Babara, of Old Kampala, Juliet Katabira, Fred Serubura, Robert Segawa, and his wife Rebecca.

The others were Patrick Mugalu of Makerere, Florence Namugere, Vincent Kaga, Peter Malinga, Alice Semanda of Kawempe, Rebecca Segaira and Florence Nakiwama.

They all denied the charges before Buganda Road Court magistrate Susan Kanyange. They were granted cash bail of sh300,000 each. Caroline Nanfuka was not in court and criminal summons were issued out for her.

Prosecution said between September 17 and 19 the suspects were found in possession of 447 tablets of Diflucan drugs, the property of the Uganda Government.

The drugs are said to have been stolen from various health centres countrywide in connivance with health workers.

According to police records, about 290,000 Diflucan tablets, produced by Pfizer Inc. of the USA, were donated to Uganda in February.
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